‘This Is Us’ Season 4, Episode 17 ‘After The Fire’ Review: Jack Lives

“What if Jack lived?” That would’ve been amazing, obviously for a million reasons. But, the thing is, nobody could ever say if it’s for the better or the worse. That’s the thing about what-ifs. In this week’s episode of This Is Us, we get to see two possible outcomes to that what if through Randall’s perspective. And well, I gotta say, it’s one of the season’s absolute best. Although I don’t agree with Randall’s (Sterling K. Brown) decision at the end, this episode titled “After the Fire” let us dive into his psyche. And it let us understand his reasons why he’s being too persistent with trying to save his mother. So, without further ado, here’s the what-ifs of this week’s episode of This Is Us.

What If 1: The Fairytale

“After the Fire” centers around Randall in a therapy session with Dr. Leigh (Pamela Adlon). And in that therapy session, they try to understand what happened in New York most especially Randall’s “what ifs.” His first one, the fairytale, is all about the good that would’ve happened if he managed to stop Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) from going back into the house.

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As this one goes, Randall saves his father. And immediately after the fire, Rebecca (Mandy Moore) tells Jack about William (Ron Cephas Jones). Then, they tell Randall. Although upset at first, Randall quickly overcomes it and asks to meet his father. Jack accompanies him and they meet sweet old William. After all this time, it’s still a delight to see the old man in This Is Us. And just like before, he’s pleasant and nice. The only difference is that he’s still using drugs in this fantasy.

Jack quickly takes note of that and hesitates to allow Randall more visits. But, in the end, his son’s desperation wins him over. So, he starts taking and accompanying William to meetings and such. Meanwhile, he and Randall grow closer.

A Happy Ending

All that time though, Randall still harbors resentment towards Rebecca for hiding it. In the first Pearson family dinner that Randall takes Beth to though, Beth notices him continuously snubbing his mother. And she calls him out for it. Seriously, Beth is a godsend to this guy. And somehow, their relationship is fixed after that.

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A few years later, Jack gives a heartwarming speech at Randall’s wedding. Then, a few months more, Tess is born. All grandparents including William get to savor each moment. And then, the moment comes when William finds out he has stomach cancer. In this fantasy though, they catch it early. Even Rebecca’s illness. Jack catches it quickly and he and Randall work together to figure it out.

That’s when Dr. Leigh cuts off Randall. She thinks he’s not really telling her the truth. After all, as wonderful as that what if was, it was more fantasy than reality. It’s Randall’s perfect aftermath. And that’s not what Dr. Leigh nor Randall needs. After spelling this all out for him, Dr. Leigh gets Randall to tell his real fears of what could’ve happened after the fire.

What If 2: The Nightmare

Everything pretty much goes the same way at the beginning of this second what if. But, when Rebecca tells Jack about William, he becomes furious. Jack says that she shouldn’t have made the call to keep William out of Randall’s life by herself. And it was cruel and very much unlike her. Unfortunately, Randall overhears everything.

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When he and Jack go to see William, they’re met with an addict version of him who slams the door in their faces denying he has a son. After that, Randall decides to go to Howard University instead of sticking close to home. All this time I thought nothing could drive a wedge between Jack and Rebecca in This Is Us but, this little secret did. More than that, it drove a wedge between Randall and his whole family.

In the dinner scene, Randall makes it obvious that he hasn’t forgiven Rebecca. And when she pushes to know more about his current life, Jack tells her to lay off the kid. In the end, Randall leaves too early. And Jack leaves the table looking at Rebecca as if he blames her for everything.

Turn Around

Over the years, Randall becomes estranged to his family. But, he does attend Kevin’s wedding. He doesn’t last long though. And he ends up making an early exit after an argument with Kevin over Randall cutting his family off.

Later that night, Randall receives a box of William’s things which was passed on to him after the latter’s death. After going through it, he dumps it all in the trash. A few months later, Jack calls Randall and begs him to come home for Thanksgiving. Randall immediately hesitates but, when Jack tells him that Rebecca’s sick, he reconsiders. Later on, he’s running to his parent’s front door. And when Rebecca opens it, he envelops her in a hug.

Enlightenment

At that point, Randall comes out of his fantasy. But, it’s still not what Dr. Leigh is looking for. She notices that in both scenarios, Randall is so sure he could’ve saved his father. If not getting him away from the fire, Randall thinks he could’ve saved his dad by being with him at the moment of his heart attack at the hospital. But, as Dr. Leigh points out, he still might not have been able to save him back then.

More than Randall’s regrets though, this whole thing is about him processing the death of his loved ones. As Dr. Leigh prods him on, Randall admits that knowing that he tried to save Jack would’ve made a difference to how he processed his death. His basis is William. Knowing that they tried made it ok to Randall for William to choose to stop. But, that’s not really what’s at the bottom of all this.

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In fact, it’s not even about Randall’s dads. It’s more about his mother. As Dr. Leigh says, this whole “exercise” began because of a disagreement between Randall and Kevin over their mother’s care. She also deduces that Randall’s life was defined by his mothers, one that he never knew and one that lied to him.

Dr. Leigh then reveals that Randall might still have lingering resentments towards Rebecca for lying to him. For one, in his fantasies, the first thing that happens after the fire is always Rebecca admitting the truth. And it always ends up with Rebecca being redeemed like Randall’s protecting her of his resentment. Dr. Leigh also points out that of all the therapists in the world, Randall chose someone that resembles his mother. And that maybe because he was looking for someone like her to process her. In the end, Dr. Leigh suggests Randall reopen the conversation about William with Rebecca.

Saving Mom

Of all the times he could be stubborn though, Randall chooses this moment in This Is Us to be his most stubborn. Instead of heeding Dr. Leigh’s advice, Randall reopens the conversation about the clinical trial with Rebecca. Randall thinks his therapist is right. But, at the same time, he cannot afford to lose his mother too. He already lost three parents. Losing another one would break him. So, instead of reopening old wounds, he chooses to do whatever it takes to save Rebecca.

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Calling Rebecca, Randall doesn’t hold back. He tells Rebecca that he’s been a good son even despite her shortcomings with William. And he hasn’t asked for anything his whole life. But, now, he’s asking for just one thing: for her to go to the clinical trial. As Randall’s words pierce through her, Rebecca gazes at her family. Then, with tears in her eyes, she agrees.

This Is Us continues Tuesday, March 24th, with “Strangers: Part Two” at 9/8c on NBC.